Search

The majority of the documents copied in this volume date from 1702 to 1703 and pertain to the state of trade within New Spain and the Spanish Empire. Some respect trade between Mexico and the Philippines, and trade with China. Other letters pertain to the royal audiences in Guadalajara, Guatemala, and the Philippines, as well as presidios in Florida and Puerto Rico.

Administrative and religious documents, and updates on more remote regions of New Spain, such as Florida. Some of the documents are from the Duque de Alburquerque about the administration within the province of New Mexico.

The majority of the letters found in this volume pertain to reforms in the governance of New Spain, and foreign policy undertakings of the Spanish Empire. Present is a copy of the 1725 treaty of navigation and commerce between the Spanish Empire and the Holy Roman Empire.

Copies of letters with updates on the religious, secular, and regal matters affecting New Spain and also arising within the viceroyalty. These include mentions of the death of an archbishop in Michoacán, the birth of the Prince of Asturias’ son (Infante D. Carlos Clemente), the California mission system, and the Real Pontificia Universidad.

Copies of letters pertinent to current events in New Spain. Some of these are about a group of Chinese people traveling from Spain to Acapulco [New Spain] to wait for the next ship to travel to the Philippines to return to China; a letter from the Governor of California on "spiritual conquest" of the province and its division between the Franciscians and Dominicans, and events with the Casa de Moneda in Mexico City.

Many of the letters in this volume are updates on the outlying regions of New Spain, mainly Coahuila, New Biscay, Texas, and the Californias. In this collection, there is also a public announcement from December 18, 1772 from the Royal Lottery of Mexico for a lottery to be drawn the next day. There is also a chart listing the revenues generated from the lottery and the amounts of the prizes won.

Many of the letters in this volume related to trade and taxes collected throughout the colony of New Spain, particularly trade coming out of the Californias and the Philippines. This volume also contains detailed updates on military operations against the Indigenous peoples of the regions, and raids on Spanish military outposts in the regions as well. These areas include New Biscay, New Mexico, Texas, and Sonora.

This volume is made up of letters respecting military outposts and appointments. Some are about administrative matters and the establishment of a Junta de Real Hacienda in Sonora in order to better administer the province and the recently pacified Indigenous peoples there. One letter stresses the importance of the port at San Blas, Nayarit for the establishment of the Spanish presence in the Californias. Along with the letter are copies of additional correspondence with the Presidential Father of the Catholic missions established thus far in Alta California.

Many of these letters deal with trade regulation in New Spain. One pertains to the effects and damages of an earthquake in Veracruz and its surroundings. Another from Veracruz recounts the spread of disease.